Lin being seen for the first time in 10 years.

A/N: Decided to combine chapters here, because I didn't feel like I could fluff up next weeks chapter - it was wayyy to short. Plus it was just another continuation of the same day anyways, so you are blessed with a slightly longer chapter this week


Same day; Mid Autumn,146 AG

Lin

"Actually she was an earthbender too. When I first saw you, I actually thought you were her. I know it's crazy, I'm not saying this to make you freaked out that you look like my dead friend. I'm sorry, I'll stop talking now."

Lin froze at hearing this. 'Is she hinting she knows? Do I respond that it's me? What would the repercussions be? I have to think about my children and Suyin. But maybe… maybe if we plan right, everything would work out… I don't want to be alone anymore…'

Finally she found her voice, as she stared down into her teacup. "You're not crazy, Kya."

She looked up and met Kya's bright blue eyes, which were swimming with emotion. "Lin?"

Hearing her real name for the first time outside her own thoughts for 10 years was something she didn't know would affect her so greatly. Lin let out a choked sob, not noticing the teacup being removed from her hands. She was suddenly in the first familiar and comforting hug she has had since before she was taken. This caused her to start crying more. Lin clutched the fabric of Kya's tunic in her hands.

She vaguely heard Kya comforting her, but it took a while for her to calm down. By then their tea was cold, but Lin didn't care and reached for her cup to help her sore throat.

"Lin, can you tell me what happened?"

After finishing her cup off, Lin placed it back on the table before wrapping her arms around herself. She looked down as she started to tell Kya what happened, leaving out about Yakone. "So it was basically go along with their plan or be killed and let them go and take Suyin instead. I couldn't allow that to happen to her." Her breath hitched, but she continued. "I couldn't risk her being taken too, I couldn't. It's why I haven't told anyone over the last 10 years. And once I had Nuna I couldn't let anything happen to her or my other children once they came along. I'm scared about what is going to happen Kya." Lin looked up, fear showing in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry that this happened to you, Lin." Kya took one of Lin's hands in her own. "But I still don't understand who these Red Lotus people are or why they wanted you to marry Tulok…."

"All I know is that they separated from the White Lotus after the war… I have never dared to ask for more information. As for my marriage… do you remember Yakone?"

She watched Kya frown. "Yakone… the bloodbender? The one Dad took away his bending?"

Lin nodded. "Well he managed to escape Republic City after that… he's here, married with two teenaged boys. Tulok… he's his nephew."

"But if Yakone can't bloodbend anymore there's no danger to- please tell me you're not saying it's genetic?"

Lin swallowed, "that was the other reason I never said anything or tried to find a way out. Yes, Tulok is also a bloodbender. I'm certain Yakone's boys are too. But the reason I was married to Tulok is that they wanted to have a hand in ensuring that the Red Lotus had future members who were some of the strongest benders. Ones that they could sculpt at a young age. Myself being a strong earth and metal bender and Tulok being a strong water and blood bender was a logical choice to them." She took a shuddered breath. "I know they are wanting to start Nuna's training once she turns 10."

There was a pause of silence as Lin allowed Kya to absorb everything.

"I need to call dad. Maybe he has an idea of how to proceed. We'll get you and the kids out of here Lin."

Fear gripped Lin's heart in a vice. "But what if things go sideways… maybe, maybe it's better for me to stay. He isn't too bad most of the time… He doesn't hit the kids, he is a good father. I-I shouldn't leave. They will be fine, my babies will be fine. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Lin tried to take her hand back, but Kya's grip on hers was strong.

"I know you're scared, but you don't deserve to live like this. Neither do your children. Think of how much better their futures will be when they won't have to worry about these crazy people wanting them for their bending only. Let me speak to Dad, he's the Avatar, it's his duty to bring balance to the world. Maybe with your help we can nip this group in the bud before they get too strong."

Lin was shaking, but she eventually nodded her head to Kya, unable to speak.

"Our family will be so happy to know you are alive." Kya gently used her free hand to wipe the tears from Lin's cheek. "But until you say so, or if Dad thinks he will need their help in this we won't say anything until you're ready. Dad is the only one who knew of my suspicions anyways."

"S-so everyone does think I'm dead… I-I had hoped that maybe... " Lin looked down and away, dislodging Kya's hand from her face. "It's okay… I-I saw the photograph… I know it was fairly convincing."

"I'm sorry Lin. We didn't want to give up hope; your Mom even held off doing the funeral just in case it was a hoax. But when there was no sign after a few months, we thought that if you were really dead, that honouring your spirit and making sure you crossed over became more important." Kya wrapped her other hand around their clasped ones. "Just know that your missing presence has been felt keenly every day by everyone in our family." Lin looked up and gave Kya a small, sad smile.

"How… How is Mom? And Su? Are they okay?" Lin asked softly, needing to know.

Kya rubbed her thumb soothingly over the back of Lin's hand. "Your mom… She is doing the best she can. She works even more now, than she did even 10 years ago. I think she blames herself a lot, even though there was nothing more she could have done. Uncle Sokka is there for her."

Lin smiled a little at hearing that. "They finally decided to officially get together then?"

Kya smiled back. "Yeah. He's helped a lot. Especially when Su was still home, he made sure to take care of them both. Su, just after she turned 18, decided to head to your grandparents in Gaoling. She is doing some studies out there, I believe. I saw her back in the spring on the anniversary of your…" She trailed off, unsure how to proceed.

"On the anniversary of the day I was abducted?" Lin supplied softly.

Kya nodded. "We get together, the whole family to remember you each year on that day. Mom and others make all your favourite foods, and we reminisce of our childhood. Little Iroh isn't so little anymore. He's 13 now, and he always loves hearing stories about his brave Aunt Lin."

Lin grimaced at that adjective. "I-I don't think I'm that brave anymore, Kya." She said softly, looking away.

"You are Linny. And when the time comes, I know you are going to be even more courageous by leaving him." Kya cupped Lin's cheek, wiping away the couple tears that started falling again. "You deserve to come home. I promise I am going to help make that happen, if it's the last thing I do."

A shuffling was heard from down the hall and Lin quickly removed her hand and face from Kya's hands and wiped her own face. Her eyes were a little red and she was a little pale, but otherwise looked normal, so she was hoping Tarlo didn't notice. "Hey there little cub. Did you wake up?"

The little boy rushed to his mother and she lifted him into her lap, where he curled up and snuggled into her.

Lin rubbed his back. "Are you feeling a little better?" He nodded, but ducked his head shyly at seeing the other woman on the couch. "This is Kya, she is a healer. She helped you to feel better. Can she look you over?" He nodded slowly again, and peeked up a little at the older waterbender.

Kya smiled at him. "Hi Tarlo. I'm just going to read your temperature, and then I have a magic potion that will help you feel even better. I think if you are able to take the magic potion, maybe your Mama will let you have one of the yummy cookies on the plate there. Does that sound okay to you?"

He seemed to perk up at the words magic potion, much to Lin's relief and slight amusement. The mother and son watched Kya draw the water from her side and float it around his head.

"Good, the fever has reduced enough that we are out of the dangerous range, and we have a nice tea that will help with that further." She guided the glowing water to his stomach, which caused him to giggle at the ticklish feeling. Lin smiled at hearing that sound, as she hadn't heard it in a couple days while he was poorly. "And the inflammation has gone down nicely, the magic potion will help that."

Lin watched as Kya bent and took one of the spoons from the tray and poured the antibiotic syrup onto the spoon. She was surprised that Tarlo took it so easily, as his siblings had always fought medicine. Though she supposed Kya referring to it as a magic potion helped a lot.

"I'll go make him some of the tea. He needs to wait at least 10 minutes before he can have one of the cookies."

After Kya had disappeared into the kitchen, Lin cuddled Tarlo closer, thankful her baby bump was still small enough he could be on her lap.

"She's nice, Mama." He murmured as he rested his head back on her chest.

"That she is, cub." She kissed his curls and hugged him closer. Relief filled her, both from knowing that he would be okay and that Kya knew who she was. At the moment the relief outweighed her anxiety, but she knew that it would stay there, eating away at her until something happened.

Tulok

Tulok arrived home later and found the two asleep on the couch. He clenched his jaw at the mess of cups on the coffee table, and that dinner hadn't been made. It was obvious his wife had let that healer stay for tea.

He went over and shook her shoulder, gentle enough he wouldn't wake Tarlo, but enough to make sure she woke. She opened her green eyes, and then he watched as she widened them at seeing him.

"I-I'm so sorry Tulok. I didn't mean to fall asleep." She said softly, though he could hear the nervous tone to her voice. He always took a little pleasure in hearing that tone.

"Put him to bed and clean up this mess." He noticed her hesitation. "What?"

"I-I'm not supposed to carry him, he's too heavy." She gestured to her baby bump.

"Fine. I will carry him, you clean up the dishes you left out."

When he returned, the coffee table was clean, and he could hear her in the kitchen. He went to the kitchen and watched as she was preparing a quick dinner.

"You going to explain why you had tea with the healer?" He growled at her.

She spun around. "S-she kindly went and got the medicine for Tarlo from the apothecary. I was just trying to be a g-ood host; show her we were grateful for her q-quick response in getting here. We also had to wait for Tarlo to wake to give the first dose of the antibiotic."

He approached her and squeezed her arm tightly. "That better be all you did. I shouldn't have to remind you of what would happen if you've said anything."

She shook her head. "I know. I swear she only asked about Tarlo and my pregnancy." He stared into her eyes and didn't find fault in them. He squeezed her arm a little tighter before letting go.

"What did she say was wrong with him?"

She turned back to finish prepping their dinner. "He has a gastro infection. She said we caught it early, and with the little healing session she gave him, as well as both the antibiotic and fever reducing tea, he should be better in just a few days. I gave her the money for the medication, from the emergency stash."

He nodded, making a mental note to replace the amount. The stash was there in case she needed it for one of the children if they were hurt anyways.

After they ate and she tended to their son, he followed her into their bedroom. When he saw the bruise he left on her arm when she undressed, he decided she still owed him for the effort he went through today.

"Don't redress and come join me on the bed." He saw her shoulder's tense, but she tucked the nightgown back into her drawer. When she took too long walking over, he reached out and pulled her to him. "I think you owe me for all the trouble I went through today to get the healer here."

She nodded meekly, eyes downcast just as he preferred. He enjoyed the submissive woman he had molded her into. Sometimes he longed for when she acted out or spoke back to him, just so he could break her again. The last time was when he approached her about having their fifth child. But he knew she wouldn't risk anything while pregnant.

He also took pleasure in how responsive she became while pregnant. The bitch was lucky he was faithful to her. Why pay for a whore when he had a perfectly good one at home who was his.

He grunted as he fell to the side and rolled over, sleep coming quickly to him.

Lin

Sleep did not come easy to Lin.

She hated how her body betrayed her, taking pleasure from him. She had long ago given up on pretending it was someone else holding her, caressing her; it had started giving her an ache in her chest knowing that she would never have someone who truly loved her. But tonight made her heart lurch in a different way. Today her hope had been reignited a little. Which made Tulok's attention on her all the more painful.

Once she was sure her husband was deep asleep, she slipped off the bed. She put on a robe and made her way to quickly check on Tarlo. She was relieved to find him still sleeping. Upon feeling his forehead, she noted that his fever had gone down a little more too.

She then made her way to the bathroom. She locked the door and turned on the shower. She stood under the hot spray trying to absorb the day's events.

She was mentally and physically exhausted; the whole day being a rollercoaster of emotions. Especially on top of being worried the last couple days about Tarlo's health.

Overall, she was terrified. Terrified that Kya was wrong. That her father won't be able to help. Terrified he would. Terrified that Tulok would figure out she lied to his face as she had prepped dinner. Terrified he would hurt her, even kill her. But most of all, she was absolutely terrified that something would happen to her children. They were her world, and she would be devastated if anything were to hurt them. She would lay down her life before someone laid a hand on them.

She let out a silent, shuddered sob. She sent a silent prayer, for spirits to protect her children.


A/N: Please let me know what you think!

Question:

Should the baby be a girl or a boy? Either way they will be a tie-breaker. I do have everything else planned for the baby, just not gender. So let me know which one you want to see more.